Content, progress and pedagogy of the module

Qualitative research methods in international business research provide the opportunity to uncover and understand what lies behind international business phenomena about which there is limited knowledge.

The goal of this module is to equip the student with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for designing, conducting, and evaluating qualitative research projects in international business. The student will be introduced to different qualitative research designs, methods and analytical techniques. The focus will be on providing students with declarative knowledge (i.e. what is qualitative research), procedural knowledge (i.e. how to apply qualitative research methods), and conditional knowledge (i.e. when to use qualitative research methods).

Learning objectives

Knowledge

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary knowledge on:

• basic ideas behind qualitative research in international business research.
• commonly used qualitative methods in international business research.
• innovations and debates in qualitative international business methods.

Skills

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary skills in:

• defining and explaining the concept of qualitative research and comparing different approaches to qualitative research.
• identifying central issues involved in designing qualitative research.
• discussing strengths and weaknesses of alternative research designs, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques for conducting qualitative research.

Competences

The objective is that the student after the module possesses the necessary competences in:

• designing their own qualitative research project and select the most appropriate research design and methods to fit the research question and be able to reflect upon how methodological choices shape result.
• applying qualitative data analysis techniques to transform qualitative data into findings and using software to support the data analysis, and on the basis of this interpret and evaluate reports of qualitative studies.
• taking personal and/or group responsibility for personal development and progress of academic skills within the subject area.

Type of instruction

For information see § 17.

Exam

Exams